Explore every episode of the podcast The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 458: Johnny Joey Jones—Mind Your Wake | 11 Nov 2025 | 01:23:19 | |
In honor of Veterans Day, Mike speaks with co-host of The Big Weekend Show Marine Staff Sergeant (Ret.) Johnny Joey Jones, who served eight years as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal technician in Iraq and Afghanistan—where he lost both legs in the line of duty. These days, he's on a mission to highlight those who serve, from American warfighters to first responders, which he does powerfully in his new book, Behind the Badge. It's a honest tribute to those who run toward the danger when others run away. With his trademark humility and humor, Joey talks about courage, purpose, and the importance of minding the wake you leave behind. | |||
| 457: Alex Epstein—Did Bill Gates Change His Mind | 04 Nov 2025 | 00:46:13 | |
Mike joins author and energy expert Alex Epstein to discuss Bill Gates' surprising new stance on climate change, the growing clash between "human-centric" and "anti-impact" environmentalism, and how the AI revolution is reshaping global energy demands. They also explore what this shift means for philanthropy, fossil fuels, and the future workforce driving America's next energy boom. | |||
| 448: Sheree Utash—It's Only the Best School in America | 26 Aug 2025 | 01:08:40 | |
Mike chats with Dr. Sheree Utash, Ed.D., president of WSU Tech and a national leader in workforce education. They talk about how she reinvented a community college into a national model for workforce development, her role in taking Mike's S.W.E.A.T. Pledge and shaping it into the mikeroweWORKS curriculum, and why she believes skilled trades are key to America's future. It's a perfect pre-Labor Day discussion. | |||
| 358: Clint Hill and Lisa McCubbin Hill—Five Days in November | 14 Nov 2023 | 01:11:07 | |
60 years after that horrible day in November when our 35th president was gunned down in Dallas, one of only two secret service agents from that detail still alive today gives his reflections and first-hand account and explains the difference between facts and theories. Clint Hill is joined by his wife and co-author Lisa McCubbin Hill to discuss the day America lost its innocence, a secret service reunion 60 years in the making, and the 60th anniversary commemorative edition of their book Five Days in November. | |||
| 357: NEW STORY—She Blew the Doors Off | 09 Nov 2023 | 00:11:06 | |
It was late at night and she was pregnant, but Merry still had to go to work. And we're all glad she did. | |||
| 356: Travis Mills—The World's Biggest Therapist | 07 Nov 2023 | 01:10:04 | |
The former 82nd Airborne Staff Sergeant and quadruple amputee drops by to chat about the first time he met Mike, how he pissed off Bill Nye science guy, why he's a proud member of the everything-is-great club, and his new book Bounce Back: 12 Warrior Principles to Reclaim & Recalibrate Your Life. | |||
| 355: Michael Shermer—Hunting for Anomalies | 31 Oct 2023 | 01:21:38 | |
The Founding Publisher of Skeptic magazine, podcaster, and Presidential Fellow at Chapman University talks about why we believe weird things, how our brains seek patterns to stay safe, the state of science and journalism, intellectual humility vs. certainty, the surprising rise of antisemitism, and his book Conspiracy: Why the Rational Believe the Irrational. | |||
| 354: Coffee with Mom—They Like a Little Bit of Naughty with America's Grandmother | 26 Oct 2023 | 00:58:40 | |
Peggy chides her eldest for spending too much time in the sun, then they discuss book clubs and pool sharks, Peggy's latest borderline inappropriate post, Mike eating dates, geoducks and horses, Picasso vs Cezanne, a briss gone wrong, used condoms in an elevator shaft, a little paregoric on the gums, how Peggy discovered Mike was circumcised, and a tease about her espionage court case. In other words, another Coffee with Mom! | |||
| 353: Scott Hamilton—I Never Got to Drive the Zamboni | 24 Oct 2023 | 01:25:38 | |
The Olympic gold medalist and four-time national and world ice skating champion is the most upbeat and cheerful human ever, and he shares his amazing journey from a sickly, smaller-than-average kid to an Olympic champion, what it's like to survive two forms of cancer, and why he claims the brain tumor he was born with was the greatest thing that ever happened to him. | |||
| 352: Mailbag! | 17 Oct 2023 | 01:00:33 | |
While answering listener questions, Mike and Chuck sip Knobel and discuss the future of TWIHI, Mike's trip to Italy, the Rowe family reunion, an inappropriate rendezvous high above the opera house, piano-playing kitties, embarrassing teenage moments, and the day Chuck almost died on a photoshoot. | |||
| 351: NEW STORY—Rough Delivery | 12 Oct 2023 | 00:09:29 | |
For the baby's sake, it's a good thing Bobby was there. For Bobby, it changed everything. | |||
| 350: Rob Long—The Age of Blunder | 10 Oct 2023 | 01:21:51 | |
The writer and executive producer of Cheers discusses how American culture is being held hostage to squeaky wheels, how quickly-acquired generational wealth is changing American business, and how every great showbusiness success wouldn't be without a great blunder. | |||
| 349: Teresa Strasser—How to Get Cal Ripken Jr. | 03 Oct 2023 | 01:19:11 | |
349: How to Get Cal Ripken Jr. with Teresa Strasser The Emmy-winning writer, TV host, and author swaps stories of near-miss television gigs with Mike, shares tales of growing up blue-collar with her auto mechanic dad, and reveals how she got the Iron Man of baseball to read and blurb her book, Making It Home: Life Lessons From a Season of Little League. | |||
| 447: Tommy Mello—The Secret Sauce is the Grind | 19 Aug 2025 | 01:28:52 | |
Tommy Mello founded A1 Garage Door Service—a 100 million-plus-dollar business. Tommy shares how he went from reselling Bowflex, cleaning pools, and painting garage doors to building one of the largest home service companies in the country. He talks about the hustle, the screw-ups, and the systems that helped him scale, including his no-nonsense approach to hiring and promoting based on performance, not resumes. It's a real conversation about work ethic, taking ownership, and why a broken garage door—and a strong dose of meritocracy—can open a lot more than just your garage. | |||
| 348: Coffee with Mom—A Handsome Guy Who Likes to Lick You with America's Grandmother | 28 Sep 2023 | 00:54:44 | |
Three-time bestselling author Peggy Rowe reveals her favorite show that Mike's ever made, talks about her favorite British murder mysteries, tells the story of how her friend once arrested Mickey Mantle in Baltimore the day before a ballgame, and recounts time spent with a seeing-eye dog named Larry. Oh, and Mike talks about a secret upcoming project he has no business talking about. | |||
| 347: Tim Ballard—Better a Millstone Around Your Neck | 26 Sep 2023 | 01:10:34 | |
The former Department of Homeland Security special agent talks about the hit film based on his career fighting pedophiles, Sound of Freedom, the ubiquity of modern-day slavery, and how our leaky border is aiding human traffickers. | |||
| 346: Coach Bill Courtney—Rolling Up to the Red Carpet in a Purple Crown Vic | 19 Sep 2023 | 01:24:33 | |
The businessman and football coach talks about his experience growing up fatherless, how it felt to star in the Academy Award-winning documentary Undefeated, in which he used his tough-love style of coaching to help an underprivileged Memphis high school's football team make it to the playoffs, and his mission to recruit an Army of Normal Folks to make this world a better place. | |||
| 345: NEW STORY—Enough! | 14 Sep 2023 | 00:09:48 | |
When you've had it up to here with terrorism, who you gonna call? | |||
| 344: Scott Mann—It's a Wonderful Life with Body Armor | 11 Sep 2023 | 01:32:21 | |
Former U.S. Army Green Beret, Lieutenant Colonel Scott Mann Ret., is a NYT bestselling author, warrior, and storyteller. Scott discusses his efforts to help save the lives of Afghan special forces and nationals left behind in the wake of the United States' botched withdrawal from Afghanistan, his book Operation Pineapple Express that he wrote about those efforts, and the play he wrote to honor those who fought and died. The man: https://scottmann.com The book: https://operationpineappleexpress.com The play: https://lastoutplay.com The film: https://www.amazon.com/Last-Out-Scott-Mann/dp/B09X94Q5CS | |||
| 343: Dr. John Delony—A Beer, Some Nachos, and a Barstool | 05 Sep 2023 | 01:23:06 | |
343: A Beer, Some Nachos, and a Barstool with Dr. John Delony The bestselling author, mental health expert, and host of the Dr. John Delony Show chats about the crisis of confidence that comes from living in a post-expert world, the dangers of certainty, the choices we can make to live a non-anxious life, and how sharing nachos and beer with good friends can help. John's book is Building a Non-Anxious Life | |||
| 342: Kevin O'Connor—Apple Juice and Saltines | 29 Aug 2023 | 01:12:35 | |
This Old House's Kevin O'Connor talks about the serendipitous non-audition audition that landed him a job on the longest-running how-to show on TV, what it was like to embed with Team Rubicon to film his new Roku show, what masculinity really looks like, and how to treat a razor wound. | |||
| 341: Coffee with Mom—I Don't Know How to Arrange My Nickels with Peggy Rowe | 24 Aug 2023 | 00:51:08 | |
America's grandmother shares more of her signature wit and charm while discussing her husband's cataract surgery recovery including a grueling eye drop schedule, the difference between an astigmatism and a stigmatism, forgetting your keys, the pros and cons of high stakes poker and Mahjongg, the meaning of PIE, and Lou Carter's song If I Had a Nose Full of Nickels. Strap in for another coffee with mom. | |||
| 340: Dr. Rahul Seth—My Happy Place is the Operating Room | 22 Aug 2023 | 01:11:13 | |
The otolaryngologist and facial reconstructive surgeon that fixed Mike's nose talks about how prevalent deviated septums are, how he prepares for a 12-hour surgery, and the bicycle accident that nearly ended his surgical career. Mentioned in this episode are Dr. Seth's practice GoldenStatePlasticSurgery.com and Episode 262: Let's Talk About Septums and Scrotums with James Nestor | |||
| 339: Nick Schiffer—Will A.I. Build Your House | 15 Aug 2023 | 01:14:43 | |
Nick is a custom homebuilder and skilled trades advocate who founded NS Builders and hosts the Modern Craftsman podcast. He talks skilled trades, the labor shortage, and the ancient dilemma of juggling quality, schedule, and price. | |||
| 446: Nick Searcy—Justify This | 12 Aug 2025 | 01:15:35 | |
Actor, director, and pseudo-troublemaker Nick Searcy is back! Nick recounts what he saw at the Capitol on January 6 and why he made Capital Punishment and its sequel, The War on Truth. Also discussed is Nick's unfiltered memoir, Justify This: A Career Without Compromise, where he shares stories from his long career in Hollywood, and a new project about gospel singers that might just redeem him—at least a little. It's a conversation full of laughs, sharp elbows, and more than a few surprises. | |||
| 338: NEW STORY—It Might Be Worth Remembering | 10 Aug 2023 | 00:11:48 | |
The past is what we choose to forget. History is what we choose to remember. | |||
| 337: Chad Pregracke—America's Hardest Working Garbage Man | 08 Aug 2023 | 01:08:47 | |
The founder of Living Lands and Waters talks about how his do-goodery removed over 13 million pounds of garbage from America's waterways, how he's turning discarded plastics into durable pallets, and why his volunteers refer to his flagship as the "Love Barge." | |||
| 336: Nick Gillespie—A Perfectly Reasonable Chat | 01 Aug 2023 | 01:32:34 | |
The Libertarian journalist and editor-at-large at Reason interviews Mike at FreedomFest 2023. The two discuss a myriad of topics, including skilled trades, workforce participation, and the state of education. | |||
| 335: Coffee with Mom—Poetry Gets a Bad Rap with Peggy Rowe | 27 Jul 2023 | 00:56:27 | |
From Shakespeare to Frost and Madras to Nantucket, the three-time bestselling author and her son trade raps and reminisce about recitations. There's also talk of sushi and rainwater, ancient mariners, nicking butter and cream, room-service cart ethics, barnacles on the sea of life, hot-tub lifeguarding, and Chuck's Hitlerian youth. Yup, it's coffee with mom.
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| 334: Greg GUTFELD!—Coffee Runs the World | 25 Jul 2023 | 01:11:36 | |
The host of the #1 rated late night TV show and five-time NYT bestselling author joins TWIHI to discuss what he hates and loves, why he originally didn't want Mike on his show, how our culture has flipped, and his new book, The King of Late Night. | |||
| 333: Chuck Klausmeyer—The Lady Who Puts Them in Me Will Be Thrilled | 18 Jul 2023 | 00:52:37 | |
For Chuck's milestone birthday, Mike questions him about the Pageant of the Masters, his frequent hobbies, and the reason he has pellets in his ass. | |||
| 332: NEW STORY—His Final Destination | 13 Jul 2023 | 00:12:48 | |
1 invalid + 8 assassins = the train ride of a lifetime. | |||
| 331: Stu Segall—Naked Volleyball and Other Strategic Operations | 11 Jul 2023 | 01:17:34 | |
The successful producer of hit shows like Hunter, Renegade, and Silk Stalkings talks about how 9/11 changed television forever and led him to turn his 20-acre studio into Strategic Operations, a training facility that has allowed hundreds of thousands of military, law enforcement, and first responder personnel to experience medical and tactical training in "Hyper-Realistic® scenario environments." | |||
| 330: Scott Tingle—I'd Go in a Heartbeat | 04 Jul 2023 | 01:27:12 | |
Astronaut and combat veteran Captain Scott Tingle, a.k.a. "Maker," explains how he turned his childhood dream of becoming an astronaut into a reality. He provides a harrowing blow-by-blow account of what it's like to fly an 8-hour combat mission and land on an aircraft carrier at night, as well as how to poop in space. | |||
| 329: Coffee with Mom—You Can Give Them Your Underpants with Peggy Rowe | 30 Jun 2023 | 00:48:22 | |
Socks and windsocks, support hose and ho' ho's, humble brags and no-so-humble brags, owl pellets and horse semen, dancing in circles, a forgotten stool sample, a chair-volleyball update, a manscaping demo, and lots of shameless pluggery. Pour yourself a tall iced one and join coffee with mom! | |||
| 445: Coffee with Mom—They Had Their Way with My Right Hip | 29 Jul 2025 | 01:02:51 | |
America's Grandmother stops by to discuss the haunting melody of Adagio for Strings, dropping one's phone in the toilet, and Peggy's handsy masseuse. | |||
| 328: Johnny Joey Jones is Unbroken | 27 Jun 2023 | 01:37:19 | |
The Retired USMC Staff Sergeant who lost both legs in Afghanistan to an IED talks Hee-Haw, laying brick, cakewalks, farm living, his "Alive Day," and his new book, Unbroken Bonds of Battle: A Book of Heroism, Patriotism, and Friendship. | |||
| 327: Tony Ortega Doesn't Like Bullies Either | 20 Jun 2023 | 01:15:08 | |
Substack journalist Tony Ortega has been covering Scientology for decades, and he weighs in on what the Danny Masterson double conviction means for the future of the "church." Subscribe to Tony's newsletter at tonyortega.substack.com Read his Rolling Stone Article about the trial here | |||
| 326: NEW STORY—The Class of '23 | 16 Jun 2023 | 00:09:37 | |
America's most exclusive graduate school is at it again. | |||
| 325: Bob Crawford—America's Founding Son | 13 Jun 2023 | 01:27:09 | |
The Avett Brothers' standup bassist is not only a great musician but also an avid historian. Bob talks about music, family, slavery, abolitionism, and the amazing legacy of John Quincey Adams as chronicled in his podcast, Founding Son: John Quincey's America. Oh yeah, and there will be some mandolin playing. | |||
| 324: Jedidiah Thurner— Bonus Day | 06 Jun 2023 | 01:31:32 | |
The disrupter and co-founder of Love Has No Limits talks about how the organization engages communities to tackle society's problems of families in crisis, foster care, and medical debt. He also reveals what he learned from his near-death experience and the incredible power of hope. Learn more about Love Has No Limits at lovehasnolimits.com | |||
| 323: Akash Chougule—Reguflation and the Right to Try | 30 May 2023 | 01:04:33 | |
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| 322: Coffee with Mom—We're Gonna Need Both Bibles with Peggy Rowe | 26 May 2023 | 00:48:29 | |
King James vs. NIV, Pentateuch vs. Septuagint, nonagenarian vs. ear-hair poetry, beaned vs. bean-less chili, Schmigadoon vs. Cockeysville, sponsors vs. sphincters, a centenarian luncheon, some loud nail-filing, and a gruesome story over lunch... Otherwise known as coffee with mom. | |||
| 321: "Smokin'" Ed Currie—The Ring of Sting | 23 May 2023 | 01:28:24 | |
The Dirty Jobber, Guinness World Record-holding pepper breeder, and CEO of the PuckerButt Pepper Company, explains how he replaced drinks and drugs with dopamine-inducing capsaicin. Spoiler Alert: It involves a literal angel. Ed's company www.puckerbuttpeppercompany.com | |||
| 320: NEW STORY—Braving the Elements | 19 May 2023 | 00:10:35 | |
It might not be as bad as you think. | |||
| 319: Michael Easter—Hunger is the Best Sauce | 16 May 2023 | 01:25:19 | |
The professor, adventurer, and author of the The Comfort Crisis speaks about his 33-day trip off the grid in the arctic tundra and how he learned to embrace silence, boredom, and uncomfortableness. The Comfort Crisis https://eastermichael.com/book/ | |||
| 444: Jack Teetor—Blind Faith to Blind Logic | 22 Jul 2025 | 01:07:46 | |
Filmmaker Jack Teetor joins to discuss his new documentary, Blind Logic, about his granduncle, Ralph Teetor, who revolutionized the automotive industry. From inventing cruise control to influencing the development of the automatic transmission, Ralph was an automotive visionary, which is ironic since he did all that while being blind since childhood. | |||
| 318: NEW STORY—That's Gonna Leave a Mark | 12 May 2023 | 00:08:37 | |
Nothing irritates nightingales more than a runaway ass. | |||
| 317: Jason Williams—Adventure is Disaster Narrowly Averted | 09 May 2023 | 01:08:39 | |
This documentary filmmaker, TV producer, and treasure hunter has traveled to some of the most beautiful and dangerous locations on the planet. The discussion includes ancient Assyrian artifacts, sunken ships, the treasures of Nimrud, underwater safecracking, a billion dollars in gold, and the greatest sizzle reel no one's ever seen. | |||
| 316: Dan Clare—Not On My Watch | 02 May 2023 | 01:10:27 | |
The Iraq War veteran and Chief Communications and Outreach Officer for Disabled American Veterans explains the circumstances that led him to blow the whistle on the Iraq burn pits. www.dav.org www.patriotbootcamp.org
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